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FAQS: Customization

Preferences: How do I customize form·Z so that it launches the way I want?

form·Z offers extensive preferences that allow you to customize how it launches. Most of these options are available from the Preferences command from the Edit menu. The main set of preferences can be found in the Preferences / System / General, and Project / General sections. System / General allows you to save a “master” preference file. This will store all of your system options. Project / General allows you to designate a template file, which allows you to store all of your project options. You can easily switch between multiple template files if you like, which can make it easy to work on many different types of projects. Note that if you want to use a certain template file on the next session (i.e., after you quit and re-launch form·Z), then you should re-save your System Preferences file after designating the template file.

 

 

Preferences: How to tell whether an item is a system option or a project option?

System options remain constant across projects, while project options can vary from project to project. To tell whether a specific option is a system option (and thus stored in your System Preferences) or a project option (and thus stored in your template file), perform the following test: Get a New Model, change the option in question, and get another New Model. (For example, try changing the circle settings from Smooth to Facetted, and changing the color of the background from the Options menu / Project Colors, and moving a palette.) When you get the New Model, if the item remains changed (i.e., the Circle = Facetted and the palette is still moved) then this is a system option and will be saved in the System Preferences). If the item you changed reverts to its previous setting, then it is a project option, and will be saved in a template file).

 

 

 

Other preference tips: How should I save my preferences, or how do I reset form·Z to factory defaults?

Only save Preferences at the beginning of a session. If you have been working for awhile and then save your preferences, it will store all the system options that you have changed while you have been working -- and most likely this will include many options that you are not aware of and probably do not want. This can cause form·Z to appear to behave "erratically" because the next time you launch form·Z, it will be using different settings than it was previously. Therefore, you should launch form·Z, change anything and everything that you can think to add to your System Preferences file, and save these preferences. As you get to work you will inevitably find additional items you wish to add to these preferences. At this point it is recommended that you make a note in a text document or on a sheet of paper and, whenever it is convenient, quit form·Z, re-launch, make these changes, and then save the preference file. This way you will save exactly what you want in your preferences, and nothing else.

 

Also, form·Z creates a "set of master preference files" that reference any preferences that you have created. If you wish to reset everything to the "factory defaults" you can do this by quitting form·Z and deleting the autodessys folder. (form·Z will recreate this folder when it is next launched.) On OS X, this is located in HOME: Library: Preferences (where HOME = Hard Drive: Users: [YOUR LOGIN NAME]). On Windows, this is located in :\ Documents and Settings \ [USER] \ application data \ (If you do not see application data, go to the Tools Menu of Windows Explorer, select Folder Options, click the View tab, and select Show Hidden Files and Folders.)

 

 

 

Keyboard shortcuts: How do I find or create keyboard shortcuts?

You can set up keyboard shortcuts for most tools and commands in form·Z from the associated section of the Help menu. For example, if you want to create a keyboard shortcut for Save As, select Help / Menus (since the Save As command is available from the File menu). Double click on the command and you will be able to Add, Edit, or Delete a keyboard shortcut.

 

You can also manage your keyboard shortcuts from the Keyboard Shortcuts... command at the bottom of the Edit menu. To set up the same shortcut here, select System / File / Save As, and you can then Add, Edit or Delete this shortcut via the commands on the right. The Key Shortcuts Manager offers the ability to customize additional sub-options for tools and menus beyond what is available from the Help menu. It also allows you to Save, Load, and List the keyboard shortcuts.

 

 

 

Project colors: How do I change the color of the background or other colors in form·Z?

The Project Colors command from the Options menu allows you to change the background color, grid colors, highlight colors, and many other colors for your form·Z project. If you want your changes to be used for all future projects, save a template file with these settings, and then save a Preferences file. See the above FAQ for further information.

 

 

 

Plugins and scripts: Where do I find plugins or scripts for form·Z?

Free plugins and scripts for form·Z can be downloaded from this link.

 

Commercial plugins and scripts for form·Z can be accessed from this link.

 

 

 

Plugins and scripts: How do I install / access plugins and scripts?

A plugin is already compiled. You should be able to simply place this in your form·Z / plugins folder and re-launch form·Z to access the plugin. If you have a script that is already compiled, you can place this directly in the form·Z / Scripts folder and re-launch form·Z to access the script.

If the script is not compiled:

  1. Uncompress the script file (if it is compressed).

  2. Place the script in the "scripts" folder inside your application folder

  3. Open the script in the Script Editor or open it within form·Z.

  4. Select Script -> Compile from the menu bar and Save or place it in your form·Z Scripts folder.

  5. Make sure that a file has been built in your scripts folder with an "fsb" extension.

  6. If form·Z is open, quit and restart the program to load the script.

Other notes: If the script is a utility script, there is no need to compile it before you use it. You also do not need to quit and restart form·Z. Just select the utility file after you select Extensions -> Run Utility... from the menu bar.

 

If the script is a command script, it should appear under Extensions in the menu bar. You can assign a key shortcut to activate the script. You can find it here: Edit->Key Shortcuts->Project->Modeling->Tools->Extensions->

 

If the script is a surface style, it should show up in the Surface Style Options, just as other types of surface styles appear.

 

If the script is a tool, you will find it in the modeling tools palette.

 

A palette script should show up the first time you start with it compiled. You can reopen that palette by selecting it under the Palettes heading in the menu bar.

 

Note that some plugins come with an additional cost and you will need a separate installation code to install them.

 

For more details on plugins and scripts, install the form·Z SDK, found on the form·Z DVD, or download it from AutoDesSys and read the respective sections in the SDK manual.